An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.

].
The plant is cultivated as a fibre crop and medicinal plant in Central America, S France (Mediterranean coast), Algeria, India and on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It is planted as a living fence in Cuba and is also frequently cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics, subtropics and the warm-temperate zone[

A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

]. Whilst saponins are quite toxic to people, they are poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass straight through. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Saponins are found in many common foods such as beans[

Habitat

An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.

].

Properties

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Other Uses Rating

Habit

Evergreen Shrub

Height

2.50 m

Pollinators

Moth

Cultivation Status

Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Yucca gloriosa is a plant of the warm temperate to subtropical zones of southeastern N. America, though it is also often cultivated in the tropics, where it can succeed down to sea level. Plants can tolerate short-lived temperatures down to about -15°c so long as long as the climate is dry[

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

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In the plants native environment, its flowers can only be pollinated by a certain species of moth. In areas where this moth does not live, and if fruit and seed are required, then hand pollination is necessary. This can be quite easily and successfully done using something like a small paint brush.
Individual crowns of the plant are monocarpic, dying after flowering[

Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.

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Flowers - raw or cooked. They are delicious raw, and can also be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring[

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.

Two volumes, a comprehensive listing of N. American trees though a bit out of date now. Good details on habitats, some details on plant uses. Not really for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the internet.

].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. Sow in containers in a lightly shaded position. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Root cuttings. Lift the plant and remove small buds from the base of the stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots until established[